my sib!!

[Floody]

Hello all, its chris from Malta here!!

Few weeks ago got myself a used suzumar 320al sib. Was hesitant if I should buy it since suzmar sibs are mentioned only a few times in here, but at 400euro it was worth a shot. It seems to be in good nick, no patches, for sure it needs a good clean up. (Bought speed clean by aurora)

Also decided I need a trailer since I’m not willing to stay inflating and deflating the sib in the scorching 35 degree heat!! I’m in the process of building one myself, half way
The sib is also fitted with a set of dolly launching wheels, they should be fine since I will use them on tarmac. I also attached a panoramic pic of the bay I will use for launching....
Need some help from you guys.... I bought a double action pump with a manometer..... After having to buy the air fitting valve (thanks ribshop) managed to inflate the sib, I must say that it does its job well, now I have no idea how to use the manometer... I can’t leave it attached to the pump while inflating cause then the pump wouldn’t work, tried also attaching it to the Halkey-Roberts valves I have, but it doesn’t fit in.....any tips? I would like to know if I’m inflating the sib to the correctly pressure.

Ordered a Suzuki DF 9.9 4 stroke short shaft, now I just can’t wait to get on the water for some action!!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Floody

I have no idea how to use the manometer... I can’t leave it attached to the pump while inflating cause then the pump wouldn’t work

Looks to me like you should leave it attached and read the pressure as you are pumping. What happens when you try?

[Floody]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Looks to me like you should leave it attached and read the pressure as you are pumping. What happens when you try?

the pump jams...cant push the handle downwards...

[thornbackflound]

Originally Posted by Floody

Hello all, its chris from Malta here!!

Few weeks ago got myself a used suzumar 320al sib. Was hesitant if I should buy it since suzmar sibs are mentioned only a few times in here, but at 400euro it was worth a shot. It seems to be in good nick, no patches, for sure it needs a good clean up. (Bought speed clean by aurora)

Also decided I need a trailer since I’m not willing to stay inflating and deflating the sib in the scorching 35 degree heat!! I’m in the process of building one myself, half way
The sib is also fitted with a set of dolly launching wheels, they should be fine since I will use them on tarmac. I also attached a panoramic pic of the bay I will use for launching....
Need some help from you guys.... I bought a double action pump with a manometer..... After having to buy the air fitting valve (thanks ribshop) managed to inflate the sib, I must say that it does its job well, now I have no idea how to use the manometer... I can’t leave it attached to the pump while inflating cause then the pump wouldn’t work, tried also attaching it to the Halkey-Roberts valves I have, but it doesn’t fit in.....any tips? I would like to know if I’m inflating the sib to the correctly pressure.

Ordered a Suzuki DF 9.9 4 stroke short shaft, now I just can’t wait to get on the water for some action!!

Wow what a beutifull place to launch ,looks a nice set up ,can t help you on the pump issue ,you say you are launching on tarmac ,looks a very sandy beach ,i no expert but if you gonna do different states of tides ,dolly wheels ,i just don t rate em ,sink in sand ,hopeless in shingle with a weighty o/b,some might not agree ,but again loverly sib

[Floody]

Originally Posted by thornbackflound

Wow what a beutifull place to launch ,looks a nice set up ,can t help you on the pump issue ,you say you are launching on tarmac ,looks a very sandy beach ,i no expert but if you gonna do different states of tides ,dolly wheels ,i just don t rate em ,sink in sand ,hopeless in shingle with a weighty o/b,some might not agree ,but again loverly sib

cheers mate,,,,, i will use the slipway and avoid the sand!
perfect place to lauch, the car will only be parked few meters from the sea...

[thornbackflound]

Originally Posted by Floody

cheers mate,,,,, i will use the slipway and avoid the sand!
perfect place to lauch, the car will only be parked few meters from the sea...

Good luck fella you will have loads of fun,,,,,,,,,go for it

[fred bolton]

Mistra bay then very nice, the manometer has to stay on the pump so that you can read the pressure as you pump can't understand why the pressure gauge should cause the pump to jam try asking a local chandler. Have you got pressure release valves? as the temperature changes from morning to mid afternoon can cause quite large changes in pressure inside the tubes.

Stayed at Golden Bay many years ago (before the Radisson development) do you still have the little buses? or has health and safety taken over in Malta too.

[Floody]

Originally Posted by fred bolton

Mistra bay then very nice, the manometer has to stay on the pump so that you can read the pressure as you pump can't understand why the pressure gauge should cause the pump to jam try asking a local chandler. Have you got pressure release valves? as the temperature changes from morning to mid afternoon can cause quite large changes in pressure inside the tubes.

Stayed at Golden Bay many years ago (before the Radisson development) do you still have the little buses? or has health and safety taken over in Malta too.

-------


seems you have visited the rock some time ago in malta we still use the typical maltese yellow bus! excellent cheap service!! golden bay is lovely and the golden sands resort is the best on the island, its really nice hotel! if you plan to come again let me know for some tips


i still didnt get the hang of the manometer, also tried to stick it to the valve inside the sib and it doesnt even fit....maybe i need an adaptor!

what do you use to know at how much pressure your sib is inflated ??

thanks

[fred bolton]

I have a pump and pressure gauge very similar to yours i would post a picture but the pump is 130 miles away !! To inflate I connect the tube to one side of the handle to deflate i connect the tube to the other side of the handle the manometer is always connected to the pump. one difference I can see is that you have a dial with arrows around it what does this do? If we are ever fortunate enough to visit Malta again we shall definitely seek your local knowledge maybe you could post a picture of the other side of the pump? Good luck

[fred bolton]

Just a thought can the manometer be attached to the other side of the handle?

[geoffs]

Take the manometer off the pump, then pum the handle up and down a few times and feel the ports on the pump to see which side the air comes out, then connect the manometer to that side. The hose then connects to the manometer. You may then need an adaptor to connect the hose to the boat valve.

Connected like this you will see the pressure you are needing to create to inflate the tube i.e. the tube pressure.

I have the same pump. There is a knob on the top of the pump which switches the pump from one way to two way pumping, i.e. pressure on down stroke only or on both up and down strokes.

[Floody]

Originally Posted by geoffs

Take the manometer off the pump, then pum the handle up and down a few times and feel the ports on the pump to see which side the air comes out, then connect the manometer to that side. The hose then connects to the manometer. You may then need an adaptor to connect the hose to the boat valve.

Connected like this you will see the pressure you are needing to create to inflate the tube i.e. the tube pressure.

I have the same pump. There is a knob on the top of the pump which switches the pump from one way to two way pumping, i.e. pressure on down stroke only or on both up and down strokes.

sorry for the late reply, but was abroad....

just tried using the pump as you instructed me, and it worked. thanks so much !!!